More controversies surface in Sindh new textbooks: IJT

Despite claims by the Sindh education officials regarding absence of disparity in previous and newly-published textbooks in Sindh, several chapters on ideology of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam, Sahaba (companions of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH) and her daughter Hazrat Fatima (RA) are missing in new textbook of English for Class VIII.
According to report released by Education and Research Division of Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) on Wednesday, several chapters including "The Conquest of Makkah", Dignity of Labour, The Wise Sheikh and The Sense of Law have not been included in recently published textbook of English for Class VIII.
In chapter, 'The Conquest of Makkah', the students are taught about Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his companions' loyalty and courage, happenings of Islamic history till conquering Makkah, Bait-e-Rizwan and pledges made by Sahaba in support of their leader.
Another chapter on the 'Wise Sheikh' has also been omitted from the book, in which wisdom of Muslim was deliberated on.
The chapter 'Dignity of Labour', describing lifestyle of daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Hazrat Fatinma (RA) has also been omitted from the textbook. In that chapter, students were apprised of importance of performing domestic work by themselves.
In that chapter, methods of making ablution, offering daily prayers, learning Holy Qur'an by heart and bringing fellow women towards by Hazrat Fatima (RA) were also mentioned, the report adds.
The chapter titled 'The Sense of Law' was based on examples from Islamic history and behaviour of Muslim Caliphs including Hazrat Ali (RS) and how they faced courts after being charged by ordinary citizens.
In addition, the authors of new textbook have also removed chapter on founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, his teachings, struggle, ideology of Pakistan, difference of Muslims and Hindus in Indian sub-continent.
Interestingly, instead of these chapters, a short article on Poet of the East Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal has been included in the new book, which is only based on short history of national poet, his visits abroad, education and places of birth and death.
In addition, a poem titled 'Friendship' has also been incorporated in the new book, which is composed by some unknown Western poet.
According to IJT report, all new textbooks being taught at public schools from Class I to Class X have been prepared under by people running the Middle School Project, an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded programme launched in all four provinces of Pakistan.
The report maintains that some "foreign" educational experts trained and assisted so-called broad-minded local authors in preparation of these books, for they were especially sent to the Philippines and some European countries for 'brain-washing'.
"The IJT is thoroughly checking all recently authored and published textbooks being taught at local educational institutions and a detailed report on changes in curricula would be launched shortly", it added.